Life is full of many stories. Stories which have shaped and molded us into the people we are. Stories we want heard and stories which will never be heard. I have had many interesting and unique experiences here at Acadia University. At the root of these wonderful encounters, were Acadia students with multiple stories to tell from different walks of life. Some heard, but others victim of silent ears. Change comes leisurely when people are reluctant to listen. Change is dead when people refuse to listen and act together. Everybody has a story to tell, we just need people who are willing to listen. I am always ready to listen and if given the opportunity to be Councillor, we will act together.
Tag: election
Councillor: Sebastian Farkas
My name is Sebastian Farkas and I am running for Councillor in the 2018 ASU general election. I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Calgary Alberta. I am a second-year political science student. I came to Acadia having never hearing of the school until a co-worker my dad works with told me I should check out the school because his son went here, and he loved it. I have to say ever since coming here in late August of 2016, I have loved my experience at Acadia. I felt apart of the Acadia family instantly as I stepped on campus, and that is what I hope to bring to the ASU if elected councillor. I want to make students feel like this is their home, a place they can study, relax, grow, laugh, and develop into a better version of themselves for life after university.
President: Senewa Sena
Hi everyone,
My name is Senewa Sena and I am a fourth-year Business student. I am a Kenyan citizen that has spent most of my life living in different countries. Most people wonder why I moved to Acadia of all places, and I do get that question a lot; to the point where I say, “I’m in witness protection,” just to throw people off. The reality is, is that I moved to Acadia because I loved the school from the minute the Acadia international recruiter started talking. I really do love Acadia and I want to make it a great environment in which current and future students will feel comfortable. I believe in helping the student body as a whole; finding new ways in which we could better understand each other by establishing a better communication system between the student body and student leaders.
My Platform:
Power in diversity. Change in Numbers.
Why I am running:
I’m running because I want to make Acadia colorful, creative, and progressive. I’m running to make Acadia a safe space to be who you are. I want students to be imaginative, ambitious, risk takers, and dreamer. Your opinion and voice matters.
The ASU could be used as a platform for voices that are not heard. There are so many people that have a lot to say but have no platform for their ideas to be expressed.
#nomorebullsh*t
Means your voice will be heard and your ideas matter!
VP Academic & External: Oliver Jacob
Who are you?
Yo, I’m OJ (Oliver Jacob) and I’m running to be your next VP Academic and External. As a double major student, I am proud to be both a History and Politics student. When I first stepped on campus, I knew that Acadia was the school for me. The people that I have met and the community that has developed around me has shown me that I made an awesome choice. Now, I want to give back to the Acadia community and I am excited to hopefully continue my work with the ASU as your next VP Academic and External.
What experience do you have?
As a dedicated student leader, I have had the pleasure of working with Acadia Students’ Union and its student leaders since I got here. I joined our ASU student leadership team first as a member of Governance Committee and then as Deputy Chairperson last year. I now serve as Chairperson of the Students’ Representative Council where I lead our Council. It has been my pleasure to dedicate hundreds of hours over the past two years to build a better Acadia for all of our students!
What’s your vision?
My vision for #MovingAcadiaForward focuses on our five external advocacy values – accessibility, affordability, innovation, quality and student voice. With these guiding values for inspiration, we can continue to create positive change here at Acadia University for current and future students. Vote OJ (Oliver Jacob) for VP Academic and External on February 13th and 14th, 2018!
VP Academic & External: Makenzie Branch
Hi there Acadia friends,
I’m excited to announce that I will be running for Vice President Academic and External at Acadia for this upcoming school year! I am an outgoing, passionate and driven person who is ready to champion the problems and concerns of every Acadia student. It is imperative that resources and education at Acadia are of the upmost quality. I look forward to working with the institution to ensure that important things like mental and sexual health resources are easily accessible for students campus wide, and that the rights of every student are respected by professors. Another goal I intend to achieve is to increase accessible education for students at Acadia via our external partnerships with other academic institutions through partnerships like the Maple League. I also believe that the date for withdrawing from a course and receiving a ‘W’ should be pushed closer to exams as many students are often treated unfairly as they do not have enough time in the current system to determine if a course is the right option for them. Over my four years at Acadia, I have taken on several new challenges working for different clubs and programs all allowing my love for working with and for students to grow exponentially! I would be thrilled to represent the Acadia student population on both a provincial and national scale if elected Vice President Academic and External!
Science Senator: Mackenzie Jarvin
My name is Mackenzie Jarvin, I am a second-year Environmental Sciences student and I am running to be your Science Senator. The past year I have had the opportunity to hold a councillor position on the Student Representative Council. Being a Councillor has taught me many valuable lessons that I feel have prepared me for this position. I have had the opportunity to sit on various committees, as well creating and collaborating on an emotional support program. Now it is my goal if I were elected as Science Senator, to:
– Make effort towards closing the gap between science students and Senate
– Design programs that cater towards the needs of students
– Work with the Curriculum Policy Committee to determine how student consultation plays a role in curriculum changes
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Thank you!
Mackenzie
VP Student Life: Kyle Vandertoorn
Hey Acadia!
I’m Kyle Vandertoorn, I’m a second-year Biology Major from Nova Scotia, and I’m super excited to be running for your V.P. Student Life! My time at Acadia has been nothing short of unforgettable, and my goal is to ensure that each student can reflect on their years here the same way.
I have extensive Council and volunteer experience as well as many personal attributes that I believe make me well-suited for this position. Through working heavily in Student Government over the years, being a part of multiple teams and committees, sitting as Student Administrative Director on our ASU Events and Promotions Committee, and volunteering with multiple school and community organisations such as S.M.I.L.E, Roots for Youth, Parkinson’s and ALS, and Mental Health initiatives, I have acquired extensive skills that I believe would benefit not only my work, but student life at Acadia. I am driven, open-minded, enthusiastic, and dedicated to my work.
My platforms, should I be elected, involve increasing volunteer opportunities by further connecting our school and community, to actively offer support and further involve our students, Internal Organisations, and Clubs, to offer platforms for student voice and initiative, to strengthen our mental health initiatives, and to create more inclusive, collaborative, events in residence as well as fundraising opportunities that will benefit both on and off-campus students. I hope that you elect me to represent and support you and your needs both on and off-campus as I will work my hardest to do so; happy voting!
Arts Senator: Katie Winters
Hello, my name is Katie Winters and I am running for ASU Arts Senator. I am a member of the Acadia field hockey and ringette team, a Best Buddies volunteer, the Acadia Axeman mascot, and I work for Career Services at Acadia. I love Acadia and this community, as well as the Arts program here, which is why I would love to be re-elected as Arts Senator for 2018-2019. I want to create career-based opportunities for Arts students, bridge the gap among Arts and the other faculties, and put on events that students are genuinely interested in. I am always interested in feedback and input from students, after all I am here to represent the students and make sure their voices are heard. Please consider re-electing Katie Winters for ASU Arts Senator 2018-2019!
President: George Philp
I’m excited to be running for ASU President by the opportunity to listen to you and help advocate for better financial, social, and academic supports for students. I’m a fourth year Environmental Studies student from Ontario. I’m a SMILE Instructor, a Teaching Assistant, an advocate for accessible post-secondary education, and a friend. I currently serve as ASU Sustainability Officer. In this role, I have worked to promote active transportation, advocate for the elimination of plastic bags on-campus, and support the expansion of Acadia’s Fair-Trade movement. Also, I have helped lead the piloting of the Acadia Food Cupboard. This resource will provide emergency food support to students and will enhance student food security, nutrition, and wellness.
I’m running for President hoping to continue to advance student food security and sustainability on campus. I aim to establish a greater sense of support among the student body for one another. My plan is focused on enhancing the services students rely on including on-campus medical and mental health services. In addition, my plan includes advocating for easier access to medical coverage for international students and ensuring provincial post-secondary grants are provided to students who need it most. I’m ready to work with the ASU to develop an equitable hiring policy and to ensure that the SUB becomes a more inclusive space for all students.
My platform was built by students and originated through conversations with students and student support staff. If elected, I plan to continue listening to you by holding out of office hours – I want to have conversations with you in the Library about student wellness and chat with you in meal hall about diversity on campus. Thank you for your engagement in student democracy and I look forward to continued discussions about supporting student wellness and success throughout the campaign.
VP Events & Promotions: Gabrielle Bailey
My name is Gabrielle Bailey! I’m a third-year Marketing Major from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia with enough energy and enthusiasm to go around. Over the past 7 years, I have gained exceeding amounts of communications and event coordination and planning experience through work, volunteering, school and beyond. These opportunities paved the way for a strong skill set that I believe suits the V.P. Events and Promotions position very well. I pride myself in being open-minded and open-hearted, which means coming to me with any comments, suggestions or concerns will be a comfortable and positive experience. Student feedback is the key to growth and development. If voted in, I will be focusing on the following:
- Improving the overall efficiency of all events.
- Inclusiveness through making all students feel welcomed and comfortable, and providing enjoyable experiences for everyone no matter what your interests are.
- Transparency and offering quick, easily accessible, accurate information.
- Developing our relationship with Acadia Athletics to create fun and exciting for students and athletes.
- Utilizing the Axe Bar & Grill. This facility is beautiful and deserves some love from its amazing Acadia community.
Your support is much appreciated and I look forward to the remainder of this exciting General Election. Put the voting days in your calendar and make sure to check YES when the time comes!
VP Student Life: Evelyn Hein
Hi Acadia!
My name is Evelyn Hein and I’m a second-year politics student. I currently live in Eaton/Christofor and I am the Vice President on EC’s House Council. Over my two years here at Acadia, I’ve been active on campus through planning events for EC, last year as First Year Representative, and this year as VP as well as working at Cajun’s, the clothing store run by the ASU, for the past academic year so I am very familiar with the clothing order process for clubs, Internal Organizations, and House Councils, as well as I have gotten to learn about the inner workings of the ASU.
My vision for VP Student Life is to make campus as a whole more accessible. While discussion on-campus has been centered around making the SUB more accessible, that is not the only issue. My goal is to make Welcome Week and Frost week more accessible to all students, as well as the ASU as a whole. I will do this through inclusive programming, and by facilitating positive student experiences both on and off-campus, to reach all the student body. I will work hard to facilitate collaboration between Residence Life and House Councils, IOs, and clubs to better the student experience on all fronts.
I’m super excited for the opportunity to work for the students, to better our experiences as a whole, and I can’t wait to see what next year brings, should you decide to vote Evelyn for VP Student Life!
President: Ellie Valle
Hey folks of Acadia! My name is Ellie Valle, and I’m running for Students’ Union President. I’m a 4th year Community Development student returning for my 5th year. I’m from Boston, Massachusetts, and I’m a proud trans person. I have a long, proven history of supporting students as an RA, an SRA, in various volunteer positions, and with my work in the current ASU President’s office as the Associate Director. I have a passion for representing all Acadia students, and sit on the Governance Committee and Presidential Affairs Committee with the ASU Council.
I am qualified to be your President because I have a documented track record of supporting, fighting for and representing students, and have in-depth knowledge of Acadia, the Students’ Union, and the ASU Presidency. For example, I have been helping to develop a policy to recognize trans and international students’ preferred names, as well as working on student engagement sessions with Community Development students and the current ASU President.
My vision is an Acadia where everyone is valued for their contributions, regardless of whether they’re students, professors, or staff, and where diversity is celebrated. Where we all have equal access to education and where all groups communicate effectively and transparently with each other. I envision an Acadia where students are listened to and empowered, and where all buildings, institutions and spaces are accessible. Where we have the supports that students need for physical and mental health and wellness. Where minorities on this campus don’t feel afraid to be proud of who they are, and don’t feel silenced or looked down upon. We can achieve this together, but we need your engagement, your opinions, and your ideas to help all of us get there. It’s not about being on a team, it’s about the issues. Let’s #GetEngaged.
#VoteValle
Student Board of Governors Rep: Dahlia Chahine
Hello to those of you who will actually read this. My name is Dahlia and I am running for Student Board of Governors Representative, or “stubog”. This position is responsible for representing students to the Board of Governors, as well as sitting on the Students’ Representative Council (SRC). Essentially, I want to be the voice of students to the Board and on council. Why am I the ideal candidate to represent you? Because no one else wanted to! Seriously though, I have a passion for student council, seen through the years I have spent on it in high school. This year, I served on SRC as the First Year Officer and volunteered with SMILE. However, it’s not just experience I have under my wing, but also school spirit, friendliness, and a listening ear. Remember: a vote “yes” for Dahlia is a vote to not have a by-election in the fall!
Professional Studies Senator: Amar Randhawa
I am Amar, a 3rd year accounting major from Halifax, Nova Scotia. During my 3 years at Acadia, I have been involved with the Acadia Business Society, Dennis House Council, and am currently a Teaching Assistant. I chose Acadia, because I love the small-town atmosphere. I want to make sure the Faculty of Professional Studies is well represented next year, and that all students enjoy their time at Acadia.
NDP Leadership Race Heats Up
Only four contenders now stand for the leadership of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP). Jagmeet Singh, Niki Ashton, Charlie Angus, and Guy Caron are all vying for leadership of the party after a leadership review following the 2015 election decided Tom Mulcair should step down. Each of the four candidates are unique in their upbringing and have proven to inject life into an otherwise dry race.
Jagmeet Singh, the only of the four who is not a federal politician, served as a human rights lawyer and Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario before declaring his candidacy. He is known for his large social media following, his suit design skills that led him to be featured in a GQ article, and his open acceptance of his Sikh faith. Critics have pointed to this as problematic in Quebec because of the province’s focus on secularism and the party’s previous success in the province in the 2011 elections.
Niki Ashton, MP for Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, has been an MP since 2008 and a social justice advocate in Canada’s parliament. She has served as the NDP critic for Post-Secondary Education and Youth, Aboriginal Affairs, Status of Women, & Jobs, Employment and Workforce Development. Her stance on Quebec retaining a ‘distinctive’ status within Canada has been the cause of conversation, and her focus on inequality and climate change have garnered her support among young voters.
Guy Caron, an MP from Quebec, has been considered one of the two front-runners in the race. His platform has focused on building a “progressive and sustainable” country, including a basic income, a $15/hr minimum wage, a carbon tax, and advocating at the international level for the rights of climate migrants. Angus has tried to position himself as the “climate justice” candidate, with a large section of his campaign website dedicated to various initiatives he would pursue as NDP leader.
Charlie Angus, MP from Ontario, is considered the other frontrunner of the race. A prominent figure in party circles, he represents a northern Ontario riding and is currently the NDP critic for Indigenous and Northern Affairs. His experiences working with indigenous peoples have informed parts of his platform, including the establishment of an Indigenous Children’s Ombudsperson, dismantling Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to devolve programs directly to indigenous communities, create a Crown corporation to push sustainable development, and creating a new electoral system that respects First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
The race commenced with little fanfare in July 2017. In the beginning, the race included Cheri DiNovo, Peter Julian, and Pat Stogran. Each gradually withdrew their candidacy as the race centred around the four still in. Debates in St. John’s, Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver exposed various candidates to criticism around language abilities, experience, and commitment to the party.
Candidates are required to obtain 50+1% of the vote from NDP party members. The first ballot is on September 17th, and if necessary the second and third ballots will be held on October 8th and 15th. Mainstreet polling as of August 3-7 had Charlie Angus as the front runner, but a recent CBC article citing an increase of nearly 83,000 party members has put Jagmeet Singh in a position to win.
The final debate will be held on September 17th in Hamilton, Ontario.